As far as turning up to 100% and doing the solenoid bypass, the answer to whether it is necessary is no, or that is what I was told. It just helps to increase low end torque as I think the ECU piggys' (V3 and JB3) both electronically bypass the solenoid? This is just a simple, free way to do it, the manual way. Not a necessary mod, but it is working out for me so far. Thanks.